Karleen C. Chinen
Along road to recovery lies ahead for the people of the southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto and surrounding areas such as Oita Prefecture following the April 14 and 16 earthquakes that rocked Kumamoto last month. The April 14 quake measured 6.5; a second quake two days later measured 7.3. At least 49 people were killed, with many more injured and forced to take refuge in emergency shelters.
United Japanese Society of Hawaii president Cyrus Tamashiro recently interviewed Consul General of Japan Yasushi Misawa about the earthquake and how Hawai‘i’s people can help on UJSH’s radio program, “Nikkei Spirit,” on KZOO radio. Joining them were Clyde Matsumoto of the Central Oahu Kumamoto Kenjin Kai, and Terrence Kai of the Honolulu Kumamoto Kenjin Kai. Tamashiro summarized the discussion in an email blast to UJSH members.
He said Consul General Misawa described the Kumamoto earthquakes as very strong — as strong as the temblor that rocked Köbe in 1995 and the Töhöku earthquake of 2011, the effects of which are still being felt today, five years later. Aftershocks continue to plague Kyüshü.
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